Garden Communications
January in the Garden 2026
The new year brings with it the promise of increasing daylight. My favourite formal greeting at this time of year is an ancient Latin salutation, Sol Invictus (the invincible Sun), which celebrates that very certainty. January also brings, statistically speaking, our coldest weather. It’s not surprising that gardeners are often nervous about a potential […]
November in the Garden 2025
November is a time when garden plants often descend into subtlety. Without frost and long spells of dry sunny weather, the potential for spectacular foliage displays begin to diminish. There are some exceptions. The sweet gums (Liquidambar species), many deciduous viburnums and a few Chinese maples can continue to increase in intensity even through […]
Apple Festival 2025 Recap
The 34th Annual Apple Festival brought thousands of visitors to UBC Botanical Garden for a weekend of apple tasting and community fun. Live music, warm cider, and the scent of fresh apple pies filled the air as attendees of all ages celebrated the season’s bounty. This year’s event featured a busy apple market, a sold-out Tasting Tent […]
October in the Garden 2025
Autumn colour is mostly unreliable in the Botanical Garden, so I don’t often make a point of it, but at this time there are always tree fruits of many kinds, and looking back, I see that it is my habit to focus on them for the October blog. I suppose that mention of tree […]
A Bountiful Healthy Harvest Season at UBC’s Food Garden
Step into the Food Garden at UBC Botanical Garden and you’ll discover a living classroom, a seed bank of traditions and a vision for healthier food systems. Since its beginnings in 1983, the Garden has championed growing food sustainably, drawing on both science and traditional knowledge to cultivate crops that nourish people and ecosystems alike. […]
September in the Garden 2025
In UBC Botanical Garden, it often feels like September is the beginning of the end of summer. This year in particular, autumn seems to be approaching more rapidly than usual (but then, what is usual?). September is more of a beginning at UBC. The start of classes for the university heralds much activity related […]
Nature Bathing at UBC Botanical Garden: A Full Mind & Body Reset
Sign Up Here In a world that often feels rushed and overwhelming, stepping into a quiet clearing can feel like coming home. Nature bathing—a nature-based mindfulness practice—offers a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what really matters. Benefits of Nature Bathing Lowers Stress and Boosts Mood Spending time in nature has […]
BranchingOUT: What To Expect
Register Now! Come celebrate Pride and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with UBC Botanical Garden’s BranchingOUT Thursday July 17th (6-9pm)! You can expect an array of fun (and sassy) nature activities, a trek along the Greenheart TreeWalk, sunset drinks, and a great opportunity to meet like-minded people curious about nature. This year, the team has not only […]
Announcing the 2025 Nitobe Memorial Garden Photo Contest Winner
This spring, we invited visitors to capture the tranquil beauty of Nitobe Memorial Garden. From April to June, participants shared with us the vision of the garden’s serenity and vibrancy throughout images of cherry blossoms, koi, stone lanterns, and the greenery all around. Every single submission was stunning and inspiring. Every photo was judged […]
BranchingOUT – UBC Botanical Garden’s Signature Pride Celebration
Register Now! Join us for BranchingOUT, an evening of community, connection, and curiosity beneath the trees. Celebrated during Vancouver Pride season, this adult-only event invites 2SLGBTQIA+ nature lovers and allies to come together and celebrate Pride with plants, people, and peaceful moments in the Garden. After last year’s sold-out success, we’re excited to welcome you back […]